3 dead after gunman opens fire inside Tennessee factory

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ATHENS, Tenn. — Three people are dead, including the shooter, after a man walked into a Tennessee factory Thursday afternoon and opened fire, police said.

The lone gunman, who was also an employee, entered the Thomas and Betts factory in Athens at about 4 p.m. and opened fire in the front office area, but didn’t hit anyone at first, according to WBIR.

The gunman then entered the main part of the facility where he continued shooting “deep inside the factory,” killing two other people, police said.

Officers found the suspect’s body inside a bathroom. It appeared that he shot and killed himself, according to Athens Police Chief Charles Ziegler. The gun he used appeared to be a small, automatic pistol, Ziegler said.

Police were still investigating as of Thursday evening, and no identities had been released.

The scene was secured by 5:10 p.m.

Nearby McMinn County High School was placed on lockdown as a security measure but no threats were made toward the school.

Thomas and Betts manufactures connectors and components for the electrical and communications industries.